BSB - Byrne wins race two, Hopkins retains title lead

Shane Byrne thundered to glory but champion-elect John Hopkins recovered from a disastrous start to keep a two-point championship lead in a dramatic penultimate race of the British Superbike season at Brands Hatch.

Related links

• Race Three: LIVE on British Eurosport 2
• Watch on Eurosport Player
• Sportsbeat

Many were saying American leader Hopkins had one hand on the BSB Championship going into race two on the final day having extended his advantage to 11 points over Swan Yamaha’s Tommy Hill.

But the tables turned when title contenders Hopkins, Michael Laverty and Josh Brookes all skidding out on damp patches in the first five laps.

Former and soon-to-be MotoGP rider again Hopkins remounted to take 12th as Byrne powered to victory, while Jon Kirkham secured the BSB Riders’ Cup with his third podium of the season in second.

All eyes were the on Hopkins’ closest challenger, Hill, who failed to hold off a determined challenge from James Ellison, who clinched third, but his fourth keeps his title hopes alive heading into the grand finale.

HM Plant Honda rider Byrne burst off the starting grid to edge Brookes into the lead with Hopkins and the Swan Yahama’s of Laverty and Hill in tow.

Brands Hatch was then left stunned as Hopkins’ engine halted leaving the American stranded on lap one, while Laverty took a tumble and Martin Jessopp and Peter Hickman also hit the deck.

Byrne sought to capitalise on the other title fighters’ misfortune with Brookes the next victim to the damp patches on lap three.

Alex Lowes and Ian Lowry fell on lap five as the riders began to err towards caution, with Byrne holding a three second lead from Kirkham and Hill.

There were few other overtaking opportunities as riders clung on to their valuable championship points, with Ellison finally edging Hill on the last lap for third and Chris Walker taking fifth.

Byrne’s first win of the Showdown may be too little too late for his title ambitions, but Hopkins impressive recovery to battle back through the field has left him in pole position for his first ever BSB title.